The municipal election is still a long ways off, but one candidate has already thrown her hat into the ring for Mayor.

Nikaela Barton has lived in Airdrie since 2008 and says running for Mayor is a way for her to contribute to the community she loves.

"When the option to run for Mayor or city council came up, I thought, what better way to give back to my community than to really represent what the community wants and what the community needs within city council."

Barton is passionate about the health care needs of Airdrie, based in part on her own experience as a mother with a child that needs medical care that is only available in Calgary. She says her experience with her daughter has made her aware of gaps in our community

"You know, just to really back the health care system, really work with Airdrie citizens to make sure that we have what they need here readily available to them. The health co-op is a great, progressive plan for Airdrie. I really support that."

Barton also says Airdrie's identity as a community separate from Calgary needs to be highlighted. She says she does support a downtown revitalization plan, as long as it's done in the right way.

"Do I think at this point in time in the economy, we need to be going all out? No I don't. But we do need to keep our focus on Airdrie as a community."

Barton studied Political Science at the University of Winnipeg and has been involved in politics since she was fourteen.

 

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